Bac7

Also known as Bactenecin 7

Bovine proline-rich cathelicidin studied for bacterial uptake and ribosomal inhibition, particularly through its N-terminal fragments.

Length: 60 amino acids
Half-life: Not well characterised
Mechanism: After transporter-dependent uptake into susceptible bacteria, Bac7-derived peptides bind the bacterial ribosomal exit tunnel and interfere with translation. Mechanistic evidence is particularly extensive for Bac7(1–35); membrane effects can also occur under some experimental conditions.
Studied in: Bacterial translation systems, ribosome structural studies and transporter-deficient bacterial strains are used to investigate uptake and translation inhibition.

About Bac7

Bac7 is a proline- and arginine-rich peptide originally isolated from bovine neutrophils. Its mature sequence contains 60 amino acids and is released from a larger cathelicidin precursor containing a conserved cathelin domain. Unlike many amphipathic antimicrobial peptides, Bac7 does not depend primarily on a stable membrane-spanning helix. Its strongly cationic, repetitive sequence supports interactions with bacterial surfaces, uptake machinery and intracellular targets, making sequence identity important when comparing experimental preparations.

Much of the detailed mechanistic literature concerns the N-terminal fragment Bac7(1–35), rather than the complete mature peptide. Structural and biochemical experiments place this fragment within the bacterial ribosomal exit tunnel, where it obstructs productive translation. In susceptible Gram-negative models, inner-membrane transporters including SbmA contribute to intracellular access. Uptake requirements, peptide length and bacterial envelope composition all influence assay results, so findings from one fragment or organism should not automatically be assigned to every Bac7 preparation.

Laboratory notes

Confirm whether the material is mature Bac7 or a defined fragment such as Bac7(1–35); these are not interchangeable assay reagents.
Use low-binding labware and verify peptide recovery when working with dilute solutions of this strongly cationic peptide.
Pair translation measurements with membrane-integrity assays and transporter controls to distinguish intracellular inhibition from envelope effects.

Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.

Questions about Bac7

Is Bac7 the same reagent as Bac7(1–35)?

No. Mature Bac7 contains 60 residues, whereas Bac7(1–35) contains only the first 35. Much of the ribosome-binding literature concerns the shorter fragment.

Does Bac7 have a conventional receptor target?

Its principal characterised intracellular target is the bacterial ribosome, rather than a conventional cell-surface signalling receptor. SbmA can contribute to uptake.

Why include an sbmA-deficient strain?

Comparison with a matched parental strain helps establish whether intracellular access depends on SbmA in the bacterial model being studied.

Is Bac7 for human use?

No. It is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.

Related research peptides

All products are sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, not a medicine, not for diagnosing, treating or preventing any condition.